Citizens Bank Park will have a familiar feel before the 2026 MLB All-Star Game gets rolling on Tuesday. The night is set to open with a heavyweight dose of Phillies history, as four of the franchise’s most celebrated names take part in the pregame honors.
Tonight’s ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by a pair of Phillies legends, Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton.
— MLB (@MLB) July 14, 2026
Receiving the pitches will be two other Phillies greats, Hall of Famer Scott Rolen and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels. #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/PFRYN89wra
Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton, both Hall of Famers, will handle the ceremonial first pitches, according to MLB. Crouched behind the plate for the moment will be two more Phillies greats: Hall of Famer Scott Rolen and World Series champion Cole Hamels.
Schmidt is as closely tied to the Phillies as any player in team history. He spent all 18 seasons of his career in Philadelphia, helped deliver the 1980 World Series title, made 12 All-Star teams and won MVP three times. His No. 20 has long since been retired by the club.
Carlton was right there on that 1980 championship team, too. He won the Cy Young Award that season, one of four times he claimed the honor during his 15 years with the Phillies. Carlton also won the Triple Crown in 1972, and his No. 32 was eventually retired.
Rolen’s Phillies run covered the first seven seasons of his career. He broke in as Rookie of the Year in 1997 and picked up two of his eight Gold Glove awards while in Philadelphia. His place in the organization is now secured on the team’s Wall of Fame.
Hamels gave the Phillies 10 seasons and played a major role in the 2008 championship run. He earned MVP honors in both the NLCS and World Series that year, and he won three Cy Youngs with the franchise.
For one night, the spotlight will be on the game’s present, but the opening act belongs to Phillies royalty. Fans inside the ballpark will get a chance to look back before the All-Star celebration fully takes over.
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